Mysuru: People of my constituency will decide my next move, says MLA G.T. Deve Gowda
Mysuru: Senior politician and JD(S) MLA G.T. Deve Gowda on Wednesday said that any decision regarding his political future, whether to remain in JD(S), or move to the BJP or Congress, will be taken based on the wishes of his constituents. “As of now, I am serving as an MLA,” he said, addressing reporters in Mysuru.
Responding to questions about his association with political parties, Gowda said, “Neither Siddaramaiah nor D.K. Shivakumar has contacted me. No one from JD(S) has reached out regarding the Channapatna by-election. I am not joining any party at the moment.”
A known critic of his own party leadership in recent times, the veteran leader said, “Newcomers who joined the party just yesterday are now speaking about me. Even those who lack the stature to stand beside me are making comments. I have always been with the people and the party founded by Deve Gowda. The people in my constituency suggest what to do, whether to remain in JD(S), or move to Congress or BJP. Based on their direction, I will contest the next election.”
Commenting on the current state of the BJP-JD(S) alliance, he remarked, “I am a JD(S) MLA. I resigned earlier from the Assembly after winning, not because I was defeated. I have supported Yeddyurappa in the past for 20 months. Our tenure was three years, and I was frustrated that I wasn’t given the role of Leader of the Opposition despite being a senior. Kumaraswamy chose to empower Suresh Babu instead. Right now, I am functioning only as a legislator. I have no clarity on my party affiliation.”
Recalling his past political battles, he said, “I have stood my ground and won even against strong leaders. I defeated Siddaramaiah in the elections. I have never abandoned JD(S) midway, never been corrupt, and never lost an election. No one has the moral authority to accuse me of defection. I will act according to the wishes of the people in my constituency.”
Reacting to questions on JD(S) youth president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, G.T. Deve Gowda stated, “Nikhil is also an actor and has lost three elections. Now he’s gaining experience in politics. The responsibility of leading the JD(S) built by H.D. Deve Gowda is on him. I am staying away from party activities and focusing solely on my duties as a legislator.”
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HC says Bhojshala complex is Goddess Saraswati temple, scraps ASI order on namaz on premises
Indore (PTI): In a big win for the Hindu side, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday declared that the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, and the Centre and ASI can decide on its administration and management.
The HC's Indore bench, which was hearing the case, also said the Muslim community, which called the 11th century monument Kamal Maula Mosque, may approach the state government for allotment of separate land in the district for construction of a mosque.
In its much-awaited verdict in the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex dispute, the court observed that there were indications of a Sanskrit teaching centre and a temple of Goddess Saraswati existing in Bhojshala.
The religious character of the disputed complex of Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque indicates it is a temple of Goddess Saraswati, noted the HC.
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"If the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society applies for land allotment for building a mosque in Dhar district, the state government can consider it," maintained the division bench.
The HC scrapped the 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order which allowed Muslims to offer Friday prayers on Bhojshala premises.
Nearly 1,200 police personnel were deployed in and around the complex ahead of the HC ruling.
Dhar Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena warned of strict action against anyone spreading objectionable content on social media, as the administration erected barricades at the site where Friday prayers coincided with the court verdict.
The long-running dispute pertains to the religious nature of the ASI-protected monument in Dhar district.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side calls the monument Kamal Maula Mosque. A petitioner from the Jain community claims the disputed complex is a medieval Jain temple and gurukul.
After the controversy over the Bhojshala complex erupted, the ASI issued an order on April 7, 2003, permitting Hindus to worship at the complex every Tuesday and Muslims to offer namaz there every Friday. The Hindu side challenged the order in the HC, seeking exclusive rights to worship at the complex.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench began regular hearings on five petitions and one writ appeal related to the case on April 6 this year.
After hearing all the parties against the backdrop of differing religious beliefs, historical claims, complex legal provisions, and thousands of documents related to the disputed monument, the bench had reserved its decision on May 12.
During the hearing, petitioners from the Hindu, Muslim, and Jain communities presented detailed arguments and sought exclusive worship rights for their communities at the monument.
The ASI, after conducting a scientific survey of the monument, indicated in its over 2,000-page report that a massive structure dating back to the reign of the Parmar kings of Dhar predated the mosque, and that the current disputed structure was built using repurposed temple components.
The Hindu side claimed that coins, sculptures, and inscriptions found by the ASI during its scientific survey prove the complex was originally a temple.
However, the Muslim side argued in court that the ASI's survey report was "biased" and prepared to support the claims of the Hindu petitioners.
Refuting this, the ASI told the court the scientific survey process was carried out with the help of experts, including three from the Muslim community.
The HC had ordered the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex on March 11, 2024. The ASI began the survey on March 22 that year and, after a detailed 98-day survey, submitted its report to the High Court on July 15.
